Lisbon Loving

Hello my lovelies, did you miss me?  I was just deciding how to tell you about my wonderful short break to Portugal, but I cannot find the words to describe exactly the feeling.  It has been a long time since I have spent 3 nights away from my children.  A long, long time.  I don't have the words for the overwhelming emotions I had whilst I was away and since I have been back.  I felt guilty about enjoying myself and silly for missing my children, although missing the didn't start until the 3rd day! The time away for me was healing.  Allowing me to reconnect with the part of me I had pushed away and tidied into a box a long time ago.  The part that through my past relationship I had only allowed to show its face when I was on the verge of losing the plot. It was liberating, allowing myself to enjoy just being me and not feeling guilty (all the time) for not being there for every waking moment of my children's life.  The time away also allowed me to miss the children enough to not think about how much hard work it is being with them, like the fact that my daughter DOES NOT listen (she is creative and is just in another world!) or my son who wakes up at the dawn of time, every single day! So by the time I was on my way home I was positively excited about seeing my children (although some what torn, to leave TDHS!).  My love for them was much more tangible, rather than buried under the sleep deprivation, frustration and monotony that is part of having young children. It's been two weeks since I have been back, WHEN IS MY NEXT WEEKEND AWAY?!

I did have the most amazing time! Packed all the wrong things for the beautiful weather they had in Lisbon that weekend and was forced to go shopping to buy summer dresses, a bikini, (really!), sandals and a T-shirt!! The shops in Lisbon are great! They have the most enormous shopping center's all over Lisbon that stay open until Midnight!!!!  So I could spend the day in the sun, on the beach, sightseeing and eating alfresco in lovely restaurants then spend all evening in the SHOPS!!!!!! OMG amazing.  Seriously, Lisbon is beautiful, full of history and architecture, old and new. It has a river that runs through it to the sea and elements that remind me of the South bank, in London and then it has the most stunning beaches that stretch for miles and miles both north and south of the city.

So let me tell you about the shopping!  I actually ended up in the same shops that I shop in when I'm at home!  The difference being the stores are more spacious and the sales staff were always keen to help.  For example the sales assistant in Zara was very helpful in locating a pair of silver leather sandals that I wanted in my size.  (She was asked by TDHS, so this may have been a factor in her prompt service, but for me, no worries as I got the shoes I wanted and TDHS said they made my feet look sexy!) There is a small picture of them below.  I shopped in H&M one evening and picked up two dresses the same in different colours.  I needed summer dresses for the fantastic weather! The dresses are empire/baby doll style.  They cover the tummy but don't make you look pregnant, which is good.

Dress in blue and cream....looking good Samara....(Professional Photo for a change).

Silver Sandals from Zara

Bikini from H&M (This is as much skin you will see of mine, I'm comfortable with you seeing my back as all the fat is on my front!!!)

Orange T-shirt from Zara, layered with a short sleeved sweat shirt from Joy, and grey cotton trousers from Uni Qlo.  The T-shirt is quiet long so covers bottoms if you wanted to wear it with leggings. 

Anyway I have no complaints about my shopping experiences in Lisbon, but then I have no complaints about my trip there.  It was a perfect few days.  So if you ever get the chance to take a short break I highly recommend Lisbon. 

Until next time people.  Happy shopping.

Samara.